Method and apparatus for miniaturized marker making



May 10, 1966 VQ 3,250,007

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MINIATURIZED MARKER MAKING Filed Nov. 28, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR GUNTER H VOTH May 10, 1966 VQTH 3,250,007

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MINIATURIZED MARKER MAKING Filed Nov. 28, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 CONTROL 6 APPARATUS 1N VENTOR H69 GUNTER H. VOTH ATTORNEYS May 10, 1966 vo 3,250,007

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MINIATURIZED MARKER MAKING Filed Nov. 28, 1962 :5 sheets-sheet s FIGB FIG. l4

FIG. IO

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FIGIZ INVENTOR. GUNTER H. VOTH A TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,250,007 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MINIATURIZED MARKER MAKING Giinter Hans Voth, 30 Brahmsstrasse, Baden-Baden, Germany Filed Nov. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 240,651 Claims. (CI. 33-23) The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for miniaturized marker making, more particularly to an improved method for reducing and laying out patterns or making templates, reduced to a suitable scale, which form the component parts of a consumer good, especially in the needle industry, and to an apparatus for realizing such method.

Heretofore, in different branches of industry, a method has been used for the series manufacture of consumer goods or consumer items which essentially consisted of drawing the individual patterns of which the consumer good is composed, on a relatively long sheet of paper, oftentimes longer than fifty meters, and to perforate this drawing after the lay-out is completed. The resulting perforated templates are then placed over leather or fabric materials, are dusted with a suitable powder or chalk whereby the individual pieces or patterns to be cut-out become visible, and thereafter can be cut-out by suitable means.

Such perforated templates have, on the one hand, the purpose to considerably facilitate operating ease by reason of the frequent re-usability thereof and, on the other, are intended to provide savings in materials by careful pre-planning, particularly as only talented persons usually work out such templates.

In practice, the latter, very important point, however, cannot be realized because no person is able, on the basis of the accommodation capability of the eye, to survey large surfaces, for example, fifty meters inlength on which hundreds of patterns are disposed, not to mention the inability to examine such large surfaces for economy in material consumption.

Nevertheless, it is of the utmost importance to provide a method and apparatus which permits the designer or person laying-out the patterns for the template or marker to be able, at all times, to carefully examine and watch out for economy in material consumption; for itis obvious that a difference between 3 or in material loss in connection with the manufacture of any consumer item may be decisive for the existence of the manufacture in the competitive economy facing most modern operations.

To alleviate the inadequacies of the prior are methods, one might consider, after reducing the large patterns to a suitable scale, to carefully cut-out the reduced patterns by means of scissors and to utilize the thus cut-out patterns on a correspondingly scaled surface for purposes of pre-planning the lay-out or marker thereof. The perforated template may thereafter be made from this miniaturized lay-out or maker. However, if one takes as starting point a lay-out having a length of fifty meters, then with a scaled reduction of, for example, 1:5, the

miniature lay-out would still be ten meters in length. Of

course, for purposes of facilitated handling of this mini aturized lay-out, photographs might be taken of the individual sections thereof and to make the large perforated template only according to such photographs.

While such modified method would already be a step in the right direction toward the accommodation capability of the eye and would also permit a better survey and birds eyeview over the pre-planning, nevertheless, such method would not permit in principle, an accurate information over the real loss in material.

ice

- only by means of such a figure that the loss or waste in material can be controlled so as to be economical.

The economic importance of these considerations can be readily appreciated if one considers, for example, the total reported figures for sales in the U8. clothing industry. During 1961, the total amount was reported in excess of twenty-three billion dollars. On the basis of average breakdowns, it may be assumed that the total costs for the purchase of materials by the manufacturers in the US. clothing industry during this period was in excess of eight billion dollars. It is quite feasible, without great difficulties, by proper material pre-planning, in the manner to be described and explained more fully hereinafter, to save the relatively large amount of five percent each year of the aforementioned sum representing the purchase price.

In order to solve the underlying problems in a rational andprac tical manner, the present invention proposes a method and apparatus that takes into consideration the limitations of the prior art method and apparatus, the human limitations in the ability to follow the method and to utilize the apparatus, and the desirability of achieving certain minimum goals as will appear more fully hereinafter.

The method in accordance with the present invention essentially consists of making accurately scaled-down patterns from the full-size patterns, simultaneously therewith accurately determining the area of each pattern, thereupon laying-out on a small working table the reduced patterns to produce a miniaturized marker, and thereafter either making a perforated full-size template from the miniaturized lay-out or marker or providing a permanent record for future guidance, in the form of photographic pictures, of the miniaturized lay-out or marker.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the method in accordance therewith essentially consists in making from the full-size patterns an exact miniaturized version, measuring the total area of each of the patterns, calculating the total material requirement of all of the patterns and controlling the waste of material to maintain the same within permissive predetermined limits by appropriately controlling the lay-out of the miniaturized pat terns in the marker.

The apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a main table, a planning and measuring table normally attached to the main table, a parallelogram linkage, preferably suspended from a movable framework, which is so constructed and arranged as to permit cutting out miniaturized patterns, made of plastic material, by means of a novel cutting head and integrating the area contents of each pattern by means of an integrator secured at the parallelogram linkage, and a photographic apparatus for producing permanent records of the controlled lay-out or marker of the miniaturized patterns on the planning table, or, in the alternative, after inserting a perforating head into the parallelogram linkage, cutting out a perforated template by means of the parallelogram linkage.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for mini-aturized marker making which obviate theshortcomings 'and inadequacies encountered with the prior art systems.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for miniaturized marker making Patented May 10, 1966 which assures maximum yardage economy for the material to be used.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a method for making miniaturized markers and apparatus for realizing such method which is simple in use,'utilizes a scientific approach to the underlying problems, is relatively rapid in operation, and provides a permanent record.

Still a further object of the present invention residesin the provision of a method and apparatus to provide a lay-out of patterns to be used for cutting the material which requires a considerably smaller working area, minimizes wasted motion and loss of working time, and also permits a greater accuracy in cost estimates.v

A still further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a method and apparatus for use with cutting individual parts forming components of a consumer item, particularly in the clothing industry which eliminate costly pattern duplication and also enables simplified marker training. 1

Still another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a method for cutting pieces which makes possible a minimum in wasted materials, and additionally permits the use of apreviously determined lay-out for accurately and directly producing full scale versions in different sizes of the pieces or patterns, taking into full consideration the proportional changes in the different dimensions thereof for the various sizes.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a cutting head, utilizing a sharp, heated needle which permits rapid, accurate and reliable cutting of patterns from plastic material.

Still another object of the present invention resides in .the provision of a parallelogram linkage that is sturdy in construction, offers versatility in operation, and is particularly suitable for the purpose of the present invention.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows, for purposes of illustration only, one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view indicating the general arrangement and lay-out of one embodiment of a parallelogram linkage in accordance with the present in-- vention;

FIGURES 2 and 2a are schematic views, similar to FIGURE 1, of two further embodiments of a parallelogram linkage in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a main table in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational View of a planning and measuring table in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a partial perspective view of a parallelogram linkage in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 6 is a partial elevational view illustrating the displaceable support on the main table of the parallelogram linkage in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a cross section view, on an enlarged scale, of a cutting head assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of an integrator in accordance with the present invention, indicating in dash line the support thereof on one leg of the parallelogram linkage in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 9 is a plate holder assembly for use with the present invention;

FIGURES 10 and 11 illustrate collar portions of different size;

FIGURE 12 illustrates a full collar obtained .by the prior art methods;

FIGURE 13 is a schematic view illustrating the proportionality in the human body which is taken into consideration by the system in accordance with the present invention; and

FIGURE 14 is a lay-out or marker picture obtainable with the apparatus in accordance With the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals are used throughout the various views to designate like parts, there will be described at first the apparatus in accordance with the present invention by means of which the rationalization is realizable. This apparatus will be referred to hereinafter in its entirety as rationalization apparatus or RA.

The basic component of the rationalization apparatus or RA in accordance with the present invention comprises a double line parallelogram which may have the preferred form shown schematically in FIGURE 1, but

which may also have the modified forms illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 2a.

The kinematics of such a link parallelogram arrangement with suitable linkage permits as indicated in FIG- URE -l, by the use of the formulae AzB, AzC, D:C with the point of rotation c as stationary pole and with line 1 .at point b. The point c is the point of rotation or pole of the parallelogram linkage while a cutting head, also to be more fully described hereinafter, is mounted at point d and a guide pin, a perforating head or a cutting head may be interchangeably mounted at point e.

If, for example, a guide pin is mounted at point e, a cutting head at point d and an integrator at point 12, then it is possible by utilizing point 0 as the point of rotation to make, in accordance with the formula A/B, accurately scaled-down patterns from full-size patterns which are simultaneously integrated in the manner of a vector calculation by the integrator b as to the surface counts thereof.

If, to give a further illustration, a magnifying glass with guide means is mounted at point a, and a cutting head is mounted at point 0, then by utilizing a point c again as the point of rotation, re-enlargements may again be made from existing scaled-down pattern according to the formula A/ C.

If at point e a perforating head is used instead of the cutting head, then it is possible by the use of parallelogram linkage in accordance with the present invention to make perforated templates from any scaled-down patterns according to formula A/ C.

The foregoing description of various possibilities of the parallelogram linkage of FIGURE 1 clearly indicates that four operations may be realized therewith namely,

(1) Production from large patterns of scaled-down cut-out patterns;

(2) Integrating operation of these patterns.

(3) Production of re-enlargements from the scaleddown cut-out patterns by means of a special cutting head, and

(4) Production of large perforated templates from the scaled cut-out patterns.

The rationalization apparatus or RA in accordance with the present invention basically consists of eight units, namely (a) of a main table, (b) of a planning table forming simultaneously the measuring table for the integrator, (c) of the double parallelogram linkage, (d) of the particular movable suspension of the parallelogram linkage, (e) of the interchangeable cutting head, (f) of the interchangeable perforating head, (g) of the integrator, and (h) of the plate support for the manufacture of scaleddown cut-out patterns.

The foregoing main units will be described more fully hereinafter in the sequence listed hereinabove.

parallelogram linkage.

otherwise it would not be possible to cover the entire 'age (FIGURE 1).

accordance with the present invention.

needles.

plastic material, transfers the heat to the material and thus carries out first-class, clean out without any resulting Referring now to FIGURE 3 which illustrates the main table, reference numeral 1 designates therein the su'bframe of any appropriate construction which supports thereon plate 2. A glass pane 3 is inserted into the plate 2. A supply of paper or plastic paper in the form of an unwinding roll 4 is suitably supported at one end of the subframe 1 and a winding installation 5, also in the form of a drum and provided with a crank 5' is suitably supported at the other end of the subframe 1.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the planning and integratormeasuring table which again consists of an appropriately constructed subframe 6 supporting thereon a base plate 7.

A transparent plate 8 is suitably mounted by means of hinges 8 on the table so as to enable movement thereof about the hinge axis in the direction of arrows A. The transparent plate 8 constitutes at the same time the integrator-measuring table whereas the space between the plate 7 and the plate 8 is the space for the accommodation of a suitable planning plate 9. The measuring table is connected, preferably detachably in any suitable manner with the main table 1, 2 at the subframe 6 thereof.

FIGURE 5 is a partial perspective view of the doubleparallelogram linkage of FIGURE 1. The double-parallelogram linkage in accordance with the present invention is freely movable about the pole c as the point ofrotation by way of stable ball bearings (not shown). Since the main rail member generally designated by reference numeral 10 is constructed as double rail, including an upper rail 11 and a lower rail 11', the upper rail 11 may receive by -'way of means 12, such as suitable clamping means, a

, waste.

pre-stressing and may thereby constitute a stable rigid bearer for the entire linkage. This offers the advantage that as stabilizer neither a guide roller is needed for the carrying support of the linkage nor the known suspension by means of wire cables as for example, with pantographs.

FIGURES 6 illustrates one side of the displaceable suspension for the double parallelogram linkage at the main table 1, 2. The movable suspension comprises supporting rail member 13 which is provided with lateral rollers or wheels 14 that in turn roll along two lateral guide rails 15 suitably mounted at the main table 1, 2, permits the forward and rearward movement of the entire This is very important because planning table with the point a of the parallelogram link The parallelogram linkage of FIG- URES 1, 2, 2a or 5 is thereby suspended from rail member 13 in any known manner.

FIGURE 7 illustrates the details of a cutting head in The cutting head in accordance with the present invention which is intended to separate thermoplastic foils in a clean manner and without any waste is of particular technical significance for the present invention.

The inventive concept of the cutting head is based on the physical recognition that thermoplastic foils having differing individual softening temperatures by heating which correspond to the different consistencies thereof.

such surfaces or areas.

However, the present invention has recognized that the heating of such material up to the softening temperature necessary to perform the work mentioned hereinabove is not expedient and diflicult to realize particularly if the thermoplastic carrier is provided with some layer sensitive to heat such as, for example, gelatin. Consequently, the present inventionproposes a different approach pursuant to which the separation is done by means of heated The heated needle, as it glides over the thermo- However, the advantages of cutting thermoplastic materials with heated needles without any waste are still others. For the'adjustment in connection with the rationalization apparatus or RA according to the functional form of FIGURE 1 has to be carried out extremely accurately which is of the utmost importance if one. considers that the slightest deviation of the points at or e from the axis f (FIGURE 1) would lead to considerable inaccuracies. Such danger, however, is completely eliminated with the cutting head according to the present invention since the needle, at the point thereof, constitutes an accurately determined geometric point that can be adapted, i.e. made to coincide with extreme accuracy with the line 1.

The cutting head according to the present invention illustrated in FIGURE 7 comprises an assembly bridge 16 mounted on arm 10d at point d and provided with cooling ribs or fins 17 visible from the otuside thereof. Additionally, integral with the assembly bridge 16-and the cooling ribs 17 is a casing 18 that is closed off by means of a screwed-on cap 19. If the cap 19 is opened, then one can readily recognize the spindle 20 with its compression spring 21 and collar bushing 22. The collar bushing 22 is adjustable by means of adjusting screws 23 and presses, with the predetermined desired force, on the compression spring 21 which in turn transmits this pressure on the spindle 20. The spindle 20 is adapted to be moved upwardly or downwardly in the illustrated embodiment by means of a Bowden cable system 24. The electric supply cable 26 extends through a screwedon head 25. The heating element 27, for example, in the form of a heating resistance, is disposed on the inside of the spindle 20 in such a manner as to be readily removed therefrom. The heating element 27 is thereby so constructed and arranged as to provide a favorable heat transfer surface to the interchangeable needle 28 by appropriate surface contact therewith.

. It is of great significance that the guidance of the needle have substantially the same characteristics, would be unsuitable since the sharp needle point having a predetermined hardness would scratch and emboss into the sup port material when passing over the same. Additionally,

glass is also a poor heat conductor.

The foregoing clearly indicates the importance of the guide means for the needle 28 which must operate on glass so that the plastic material to be cut iseither drawn through between the needle and the glass in the manner similar to a paper cutting machine, or the plastic material is fixed within a frame provided with a glass base in which the apparatus is guided in the manner of known engraving machines in lieu of the usual milling cutter.

In the operation, as the needle is heated, the material to be separated is heated spot by spot by the point of the needle 28 as the latter is-moved by way of the parallelogram linkage. The material will thereby be separated as soon as it becomes sufficiently heated.

While an arrangement is described herein pursuant to which the needle is passed through the material, it is also understood that-the present invention and cutting head in particular may also be used with an arrangement in which the material is drawn through the needle or needles by being passed at a'relatively high speed over rotating cylinders that constantly unfold and wind up the material whereby the material can be separated in narrow strips in accordance with the number of needles present.

It is also obvious that the speed of separating and heating of the needles and of the transfer of this heat must be in exact harmony with each other. Consequently, the needles have to be constantly heated depending on the speed of separation.

The use of perforating heads with the parallelogram linkage of the present invention, and more specifically at points e thereof, has been mentioned hereinabove. The present invention thereby utilizes electrically operating perforating heads of any known construction of which several types are commercially available and therefore will not be described in detail. The perforating head is thereby mounted on the linkage arm 10e of the parallelogram linkage at the place e in any suitable, known maner, for instance, in a manner similar to the mounting of the cutting head illustrated in FIGURE 7 by means of an assembly bridge 16.

The integrator in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIGURE 8. The integrator generally designated by reference numeral 50' is thereby freely suspended on the arm 10a of the parallelogram link at point a by way of two screw members 29 provided with ball head portions 29' whereby the latter are supported within two ball'sockets 30 provided on arm portion 10a. To enable ready removal and facilitated interchange for other measuring apparatus with different measuring scales, the ball head portions 29' are retained within the sockets 30 by means of springs 31.

The screw members 29 are threadably secured in the bracket portions 51 and 52 suitably secured to the sub stantially U-shaped frame 53. A spindle 54 is suitably supported with the pointed bearing tips provided on opposite ends in bearings (not shown).

The spindle 54 carries the integrator wheel 55 by mean of which the integrator supports itself on the surface to be measured. A worm portion 56 on spindle 54 meshes with the correspondingly shaped worm wheel on indicator dial 57. Adjacent the wheel 55 is mounted on spindle 54 a vernier wheel 58 cooperating with a vernier scale 59. A magnifying glass 60 pivotally mounted facilitates accurate reading of the planimeter.

The measuring unit 50 having an unchanging weight and disposed at point a to the rear of the point along line f (FIGURE 1) and by guidance of the point e disposed in front of the point 0 along line 1" whichpoint e is guided about the cut-out edges of any patterns, integrates according to well-known mathematical laws the area contents of large patterns in one closed movement. The integrator is thereby of such construction as to be dustproof and provided with suitable zero setting.

FIGURE 9 illustrates a plate holder which comprises a subframe 32 supporting therein a glass pane 33. Clamping members 34 are arranged laterally thereof which secure tightly the upper frame 35 so that the plastic paper or foil inserted therebetween is tightly clamped. The plate holder is inserted into two rail members 36.

Operation The operation of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention, for use with the method according to this invention, is as follows:

At first, scaled-down models are made, in accordance with the formula A/B from a base full-scale model, for example, in the clothing industry. A cutting head, such as illustrated in FIGURE 7, is thereby mounted by suitable means at point d of the arm d of the parallelogram linkage (FIGURE 1). The plate holder illustrated in FIGURE 9 is loaded with one or several layers of foil of plastic paper and is inserted into the securing rails 36 which are rigidly secured with the working table. The rails 36 thereby constitute slide rails for the entire plate holder (FIGURE 9) which in this manner is not only properly retained but may also be removed and reinserted without effort for purposes of loading the same with plastic paper. The base model is laid-out with its different cut-out pieces or patterns on the main table (FIGURE 3). At the same time, the cutting head (FIGURE 7) is lowered by means of the Bowden cable 24 onto the plate holder (FIGURE 9) and the guide pin of any conventional shape, mounted at point e, is guided about the contour of the cut-out patterns on the main table whereby the cutting head automatically cuts out the scaled-down patterns.

At the same time, the cut is integrated as to the area contents in centimeter squares, square inches or any other suitable scale by means of the integrator (FIGURE 8) mounted at point b.

The scaled-down cut-out patterns are thereupon arranged on the planning table into a rational lay-out as illustrated in FIGURE 14 whereby it is not the optical impression that determines whether the lay-out is rational, but instead the figures determined by the integrator.

From the rational lay-out utilizing the reduced patterns, reproductions are obtained by photographic means (not shown) mounted over the planning table and suitably controlled therefrom in case pattern drawings are made, for example, by the spray process or the patterns are laid out manually in subsequent use. However, it is also possible by the use of the RA in accordance with the present invention to manufacture directly from this miniaturized lay-out perforated templates. For this purpose, the planning table with the lay-out obtained thereon is left on the planning table, and is covered with the transparent pane 8 (FIGURE 4). According to the formula A/C, the parallelogram linkage is adjusted to the scale 5:1 and the perforating head (not shown) is mounted at point e (FIG- URE 1). If now one passes along the pattern edges of the lay-out picture, then the perforating head cuts, exactly in accordance with the guidance a, small holes into the sheet clamped on the main table. Consequently, the miniaturized lay-out picture, scaled-down at a ratio of 1:5, is re-enlarged into a perforated template at a scale Sgl which thereafter is placed on the material to be cut and covered or dusted with an appropriate powder so that the delineations become visible. The work with perforated templates is the simplest and most inexpensive method for cutting purposes.

In addition to the operations described hereinabove, the present invention also permits a proportional graduation of patterns, such as may be necessary for the clothing or shoes industry. Before describing in detail how this is done, a few remarks will be made as to the shortcomings of existing methods. The manufacture of models such as are required in the clothing industry for series manufacture in different sizes represents to date a compromise solution and not only leads to some manufacturing errors and operating difficulties, but also to undesired fitting errors and costly changes in the finished clothing.

As elementary example, one may imagine a simple shirt collar as shown in FIGURE 10 which has been made by the model designer in one-half. This collar is now changed by one-half centimeter in the different sizes as illustrated in FIGURE 11 so that the entire collar, shown in FIGURE 12, undergoes from size to size, a jump in the amount of one centimeter.

However, such increase is erroneous and has nothing in common with proportional graduation. For a collar which has been changed in this manner, depending on whether made larger or smaller, when wearing the shirt, either will come to lie below the chin or will project in the rear from the sacco, or vice versa depending on the particular pattern enlargement used. For practical purposes, such a collar, however, has to be enlarged or reduced in all possible respects.

In that connection, the concept of aesthetics is a relative concept when related to the human body. Body shapes may be imagined either small or large, as illustrated in FIGURE 13. However, it may be recognized that if certain proportional relations, for example, between length and width of body, length of arms and length of legs, etc., are present, there exists .a feeling, notwithstanding the fact that a person is small, that the figure of such person is well proportioned and gives a pleasing impression. FIGURE 13 illustrates the correct proportional graduating scheme achievable with the present invention whereby intentionally from the center size, extreme sizes are illustrated to the left and to the right thereof.

' base model are derived different sizes.

Clothing that is well cut must possess such proportional graduation for all these sizes.

However, the clothing industry operates to date on different principles. The model designerconsiders, it is true, the ideal body of average size and establishes in accordance therewith the base model as starting basis. From this This is usually done in accordance with the so-called size tables in which considerations concerning the proportionality of the human body hardly plays any role. Instead, these size tables are formulated to provide the model designer with simple means to be able to realize any type of enlarge ment or reduction from the base model.

Coming back once more to the simple example of a shirt collar, illustrated in FIGURES 10 to 12, and assuming that the base model of the collar had a length of 38 centimeters, the next largest size would be 39 centimeters, etc. collar is lengthened by one centimeter, such lengthening being usually realized where it can be done in the simplest manner though this is not the correct place.

With collar lengths, for example, of 45 centimeters, the collar which following the conventional technique is lengthened only in back thereof, would also be lengthened in back thereof by seven centimeters with respect to the base model as if only the neck of the taller person became wider by seven centimeters. However, this is clearly not the case as illustrated in FIGURE 13. In reality, the collar normally increases proportionally in circumference and height just as other parts of the human body.

The individual patterns must therefore be graduated proportional-1y to thedilferent sizes. This is a fifth operation feasible with the apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

The methematical structure of the rationalization apparatus or RA is so constructed that it permits according to the formula A/C changing scales or ratios by way of two points, namely, by changing the points a and e whereby the guide means including the magnifying glass at point a and the cutting head e may be adjusted by the required amountby means of micrometer screws of conventional construction (not shown). This is possible as illustrated in FIGURE 2a, taking into consideration the .varying ratios obtained by changing the distances of the points a and 2 with respect to point c. For example, if it is assumed that the distance A of FIGURE 1 is adjusted to 50 inches and the distance C to 10 inches, then the ratio of scaling down would be 5:1. If the miniaturized models are traced by means of a guide means at point a, then the full-scale models are again obtained by means of the cutting head when mounted at point e. The change by conventional micrometer screws from point a to point a and from point e to point 2 in FIGURE 2a would shorten the distance A, for example, to 44 inches and would increase the distance C to, for example, 11 inches. As a result thereof, the new ratio would be 4: 1. Consequently, if the miniaturized models are traced with the guide means 'at point a the new full-size models would be cut out by the cutting head at e no longer in the ratio of 5:1 but in the ratio of 4: 1. These ratios can be further changed, for example, by selecting points a and e 7 At first, scaled patterns are made from the base model according to the formula A/B at a scale, for example, of 1:5 by means of the cutting head from all full-size patterns. These scaled-down patterns are then placed on the planning table, are secured thereon by means of the transparent pane 8 whereupon the guide means including the magnifying glass mounted at point a are carefully guided along the edges of the miniaturized patterns, whereupon the cutting head mounted at point e proportionally graduated, in the desired size relationship, the base pattern according to the formula A/C.

It should also be noted as important criterion that the rationalization apparatus or RA in accordance with the This means that, utilizing .prior art methods, the

present invention permits the most fine proportional graduation, that is, permits to obtain from a well designed base model intermediate sizes presently unknown in a technically completely unobjectionable manner and without difiiculties even by a layman.

While the zero setting of the rationalization apparatus or RA is indicated herein as having a scale of 1:5 because this scale finds most frequent use in practice, it is understood that the apparatus in accordance with the present invention may also be designed and constructed as to provide other ratios. In particular, for other purposes, for example, in the vehicle body construction, a scale of 1:5 would be too small whereas for the manufacture of brassieres, such scale would be too large.

While I have shown and described one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereto, but is susceptible of many changes and modifications within the spirit and scope thereof, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein, but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A'method for controlling the percentage of Wasted material in the manufacture of consumer goods made up of a plurality of individually cut pieces, comprising the steps of producing, from full size patterns, miniaturized patterns, accurately determining the area contents of the individual pieces by integrating and continuously totalizing during said step of producing the miniaturized patterns the area of each pattern thereof, and laying out the miniaturized patterns in correlation with the determined area contents to maintain the loss of material below a predetermined value.

2. A method for rationalizing the manufacture of con sumer good-s composed of a plurality of pieces cut out individually after patterns, comprising the step of directly cutting out from full size patterns, miniaturized patterns, accurately'determining the total area contents of the individual patterns during the cutting step, laying out the miniaturized patterns in correlation with the computed area contents to control the loss of material, and making a permanent record from said layout.

3. .A method for rationalizing the manufacture of consumer goods composed of aplurality of pieces cut outindividually after patterns, comprising the steps of directly cutting out from full size patterns, miniaturized patterns made of 'thermo-plastic material while simultaneously therewith accurately determining the total area contents iaturized patterns made of thermo-plastic material, simuling from full size patterns, miniaturized patterns, simultaneously with the step of producing said miniaturized patterns, integrating and thereby accurately determining the total area contents of the individual patterns, laying out the miniaturized patterns in correlation with the computed 'area contents to control the loss of material, and making a permanent record in the form of a photograph from said layout.

6. A method for controlling the percentage of wasted material in the manufacture of consumer goods, made up of a plurality of individually cut pieces, comprising the steps of directly cutting, from full size patterns, miniaturized patterns made of thermo-plastic material and simultaneously therewith integrating the area contents of the individual pieces, and laying out the miniaturized patterns in correlation with the determined area contents to maintain the loss of material below a predetermined value, and making permanent record for subsequent use from the miniaturized layout.

7. A rationalization apparatus, particularly for use in controlling the amount of wasted material in the manufacture of consumer goods composed of a plurality of parts individually cut-out according to a predetermined layout of patterns, comprising parallelogram linkage means having a plurality of pivotally connected link members forming a parallelogram, means on one of said link members constituting the relatively stationary point of rotation for said parallelogram linkage means, two mounting'means provided on two other linkage members and forming two further points for interchangeably receiving therein guide means and cutting means, a straight line passing through said two further points and through said stationary point, and integrator means mounted on one of the link members for determining the area of the individually cut parts, said two mounting means being disposed along said straight line to one side of said stationary point and said integrator means being disposed in the direction of said straight line on the opposite side of said stationary point.

8. A rationalization apparatus, particularly for use in controlling the amount of wasted material in the manufacture of consumer goods composed of a plurality of parts individually cut-out according to a predetermined layout of patterns, comprising parallelogram linkage means having a plurality of pivotally connected link members forming a parallelogram, means on one of said link members constituting the relatively stationary point of rotation for said parallelogram linkage means, two mounting means provided on two other linkage members and forming two further points for interchangeably receiving therein guide means and cutting means, a straight line passing through said two further .points and through said stationary point, and integrator means, mounted on one of the link members for determining the area of the individually cut parts, said relatively stationary point and said integrator means being located along two parallelly connected link members, and said guide means and said cutting means being mounted on link members extending at an angle with respect to said two parallelly connected link members, the two mounting means being disposed along said line with respect to the stationary point-on the opposite side from said integrator means.

9. A rationalization apparatus according to claim 7,

wherein said integrator means is mounted on one of said link members non-coincidental with a straight line through of the mounting means receiving therein said guide means and said cutting means.

10. A rationalization apparatus, particularly for use in controlling the amount of Wasted material in the manufacture of consumer goods composed of a plurality of parts individually cut out according to a predetermined layout of patterns, comprising parallelogram linkage means having a plurality of pivotally connected link members forming a parallelogram, means on one of said link members constituting the relatively stationary point of rotation for said parallelogram linkage means, two

mounting means provided on two other linkage members for interchangeable receiving therein guide means and cutting means, a straight line passing through said two mounting means and said stationary point, and integrator means mounted on a further one of said link members for determining the area of the individually cut parts, said Cit two mounting means being disposed to one side of said stationary point as viewed in the direction of said straight .line and said integrator means on the opposite side of said stationary point.

11. A rationalization apparatus, particularly for use in controlling the amount of wasted material in the manufacture of consumer goods composed of a plurality of parts individually cut out according to a predetermined layout of patterns, comprising parallelogram linkage means having a plurality of pivotally connected link members forming a parallelogram, means on one of said link members constituting the relatively stationary point of rotation for said parallelogram linkage means, two mounting means provided on two other linkage members and disposed along a straight line for interchangeably receiving therein guide means and cutting means, integrator means mounted on one of the link members for determining the area of the individually cut parts, said integrator means being located on said parallelogram linkage means on one side of a plane extending perpendicularly to said line and passing through said stationary .point while said two mounting means are disposed on the other side of said plane, and means for proportionally graduating the size of the cut-out parts by adjusting said mounting means.

12. A rationalization apparatus, particularly for use in controlling the amount of wasted mate-rial in the manufacture of consumer goods composed of a plurality of parts individually cut out according to a predetermined layout of patterns, comprising parallelogram linkage means having a plurality of pivotally connected link members forming a parallelogram, means on one of said link members constituting the relatively stationary point of rotation for said parallelogram linkage means, mounting means provided on two other linkage members and forming additional points forinterchangeably receiving therein guide means, perforating means and cutting means, a straight line passing through said stationary and additional points, integrator means mounted on one of said link members for determining the area of the individually out parts, said additional points being located along said line to one side of said stationary point and said integrator means being located on said parallelogram linkage means on the opposite side of said stationary point, and means for proportionally graduating the size of the cut-out parts by adjusting said mounting means.

13. A rationalization apparatus for use in cutting out, without waste, miniaturized patterns from thermoplastic material, comprising glass base holder means for receiving thereon the thermoplastic material, parallelogram linkage means having a plurality of pivotally connected link members forming a parallelogram, and cutting means mounted on one of said link members for cutting out the miniaturized patterns out of the thermoplastic material; said cutting means including a bridge assembly provided with an internal bore, spindle means slidingly received within said bore and including pointed needle means at .the lower end thereof, means for selectively raising and lowering said spindle means, and heater means vwithin said spindle means in heat-transfer relationship with said needle means to heat the needle means to a predetermined temperature, and means including said parallelogram linkage means and providing relative movement between said needle means and the thermoplastic material.

14. A rationalization apparatus for use in cutting out, without waste, miniaturized .patterns from thermoplastic material, comprising glass base holder means for receiving thereon the thermoplastic material, parallelogram linkage means having a plurality of pivotally connected link members forming a parallelogram, and cutting means mounted on one of said link members for cutting out the miniaturized patterns out of the thermoplastic material; said cutting means including a bridge assembly provided with an internal bore, spindle means slidingly received within said bore and including pointed needle means at the lower end thereof, means for selectively raising and lowering said spindle means, and heater means within said spindle means in heat-transfer relationship with said needle means to heat the needle means to a predetermined temperature including electric control means for selectively controlling and adjusting the temperature of said needle means, and means including said parallelogram linkage means and providing relative movement between said needle means and the thermoplastic material.

15. A cutting head for accurately cutting a thermoplastic material, comprising a base consisting of glass for receiving thereon the thermoplastic material, a support assembly provided with an internal bore, means for movably supporting said assembly in the horizontal direction, spindle means slidingly received within said bore and ineluding pointed needle means at the lower end thereof,-

means for selectively'raising and lowering said spindle means, and heater means within said spindle means in heat-transfer relationship with said needle means to heat 20 the needle means to a predetermined temperature including electric control means for selectively controlling and adjusting the temperature of said needle means, and support means for said assembly and operable to provide relative movement between said needle means and the thermoplastic material.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 350,027 9/1886 Wang 3325 669,549 3/1901 Roche 3325 978,012 12/ 1910 Foster 33-25 1,734,573 11/1929 Gray 33-25 2,498,328 2/1950 'Atkins 21929 2,649,909 8/1953 Lilley et a1 3318 2,781,839 2/1957 Bockrabh et a1 30--140 X 2,842,772 7/1958 Littman 3317X FOREIGN PATENTS 908,458 4/1954 Germany.

21,673 1899 Great Britain. 734 1900 Great Britain. 107,057 6/1917 Great Britain.

LEONARD FORMAN, Primary Examiner. ISAAC LISANN, Examiner.

HARRY N. HAROIAN, Assistant Examiner. 

7. A RATIONALIZATION APPARATUS, PARTICULARLY FOR USE IN CONTROLLING THE AMOUNT OF WASTED MATERIAL IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CONSUMER GOODS COMPOSED OF A PLURALITY OF PARTS INDIVIDUALLY CUT-OUT ACCORDING TO A PREDETERMINED LAYOUT OF PATTERNS, COMPRISING PARALLELOGRAM LINKAGE MEANS HAVING A PLURALITY OF PIVOTALLY CONNECTED LINE MEMBERS FORMING A PARALLELOGRAM, MEANS ON ONE OF SAID LINK MEMBERS CONSTITUTING THE RELATIVELY STATIONARY POINT OF ROTATION FOR SAID PARALLELOGRAM LINKAGE MEANS, TWO MOUNTING MEANS PROVIDED ON TWO OTHER LINKAGE MEMBERS AND FORMING TWO FURTHER POINTS FOR INTERCHANGEABLY RECEIVING THEREIN GUIDING MEANS AND CUTTING MEANS, A STRAIGHT LINE PASSING THROUGH SAID TWO FURTHER POINTS AND THROUGH SAID STATIONARY POINT, AND INTEGRATOR MEANS MOUNTED ON ONE OF THE LINK MEMBERS FOR DETERMINING THE AREA OF THE INDIVIDUALLY CUT PARTS, SAID TWO MOUNTING MEANS BEING DISPOSED ALONG SAID STRAIGHT LINE TO ONE SIDE OF SAID STATIONARY POINT AND SAID INTEGRATOR MEANS BEING DISPOSED IN THE DIRECTION OF SAID STRAIGHT LINE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID STATIONARY POINT. 